The sight of Sandy Koufax brings everyone to a standstill in the Dodgers' spring camp. Famously reclusive over the years, and rejecting any direct connections with the club, he's back in the public eye this year as a special instructor in uniform.

Imagine the privilege of watching Koufax demonstrate his curveball grip, or explain his mind-set in pressure situations against the Willie Mays-led Giants. The very image suggests world championships, fundamentally sound baseball and owners reluctant to give anyone a $100,000 contract.

Everything that does not apply to today's Dodgers, in other words.

They could run away with the division title, or they could be a complete bust. They either bought themselves a championship or exposed a $213 million payroll to ridicule. With the Giants visiting Camelback Ranch Stadium for a Tuesday exhibition, it seemed a proper time to compare the two teams as they prepare for the regular season:

Manager: Bruce Bochy is getting some mention in Hall of Fame conversations after winning two world championships in three years. He's a master of clubhouse relations and the use of a pitching staff. The Dodgers declined to pick up a one-year contract option on Don Mattingly, rendering him uneasy with lame-duck anxiety and wondering if all that uncertainty will be a distraction. Edge: Giants.

Identity: The Giants have become a model franchise with sellout crowds, great pitching and on-field smarts. The Dodgers are purely a store-bought team, yet to win over the L.A. audience, but a World Series appearance could change all that. Edge for now: Giants.

Rotation: The Giants won the title with their five main starters handling 160 of the 162 starts and Tim Lincecum becoming an instant sensation in the postseason bullpen. The Dodgers counter with two exceptional starters (Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke), the resurgent Josh Beckett and a lot of question marks. Edge: Giants.

Bullpen: Both teams are deep, and experimenting at the top. Sergio Romo looks to be a full-time closer for the first time, and Brandon League gets the Dodgers' assignment. It's wise to consider track records here (that means Javier Lopez and Jeremy Affeldt), and the memory of Romo's 2012 postseason. Edge: Giants.

Speed: The Giants have flat-out burners in Angel Pagan, Andres Torres and Gregor Blanco, plus a couple of big men (Pence and Brandon Belt) who can really move - with fleet outfielder Gary Brown a late-season possibility. The Dodgers' Carl Crawford can fly, and Dee Gordon (probably the backup shortstop) stole 32 bases last year, but L.A. won't be about manufacturing runs. Edge: Giants.

Defense: The Giants will have a very tight defensive infield (including Posey) if Sandoval makes the routine plays, and there are no significant weaknesses in the outfield. The Dodgers are generally solid but will have issues at a crucial position, shortstop, if Ramirez's longtime weaknesses become evident. Edge: Giants.

Chemistry: Winning is a sure ticket to harmony, and the Giants are a cohesive group with admirable leadership in Posey, Pence and Matt Cain (among other more reserved types). Kemp, who once had his coaches ripping his attitude and fundamentals in public, is now the team's unquestioned leader. If Ramirez fails at shortstop and goes into a funk, the whole thing could fall apart. Edge: Giants.

First base: Gonzalez exerts zero leadership but he's a fabulous, proven hitter who should thrive in L.A., having split his youth between his father's native Mexico and Southern California. Belt seems to be on the rise, having hit .323 from July 24 through the end of the season. Edge: Dodgers.

Second base: Two players who tend to do the smart, clutch thing, Marco Scutaro and Mark Ellis. Edge: Unless Scutaro hits .362, as he did in 61 games with the Giants, it's even.

Shortstop: The Giants know what they have in Brandon Crawford, who easily could win the Gold Glove and is targeting .260 as a hitter. Ramirez can be highly disruptive, but all shortstops admire his hitting. Edge for now: Dodgers.

Third base: A healthy Sandoval spends the season peppering line drives all over the yard, with the occasional dramatic homer. Ramirez could wind up here, but for now, it's Luis Cruz, a journeyman coming off a surprisingly good season. Edge: Giants.

Left field: Carl Crawford has a lot to prove, and check his career numbers; he could be an All-Star starter if his elbow problems are gone. The Giants have Blanco, Torres and a taste of Belt. Edge: Dodgers.

Center field: Kemp might be the league's best player when he's healthy, although it's troubling for the Dodgers that he still isn't ready to play in the wake of shoulder surgery. Pagan took a torch to his shady reputation and was a contributor in every way. Edge: Dodgers.

Right field: Fascinating contrast between Ethier, such a smooth operator but not always productive (.284, 20 homers is a disappointing year for him), and the quirky Pence, who often looks ridiculous but tends to get things done. Edge: Even.

What this or any forecast means: Only this: Dodgers vs. Giants sounds as compelling as ever.

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